Coe poised for best start since 2016: Iowa college football storylines

Coe looks for its first 7-0 start since 2016, Cornell faces a true test against Monmouth, Upper Iowa finds success behind Overstreet and more storylines in Iowa small college football this weekend.

Coe poised for best start since 2016

The Kohawks look to remain unbeaten, taking a 6-0 overall record and a 4-0 American Rivers Conference mark into Saturday’s game at Nebraska Wesleyan (2-3, 1-2) in Lincoln. Not only would a win keep Coe atop the conference standings, it would also be the program’s first 7-0 start since 2016. The Kohawks went 11-1 that season, reaching the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Coe has won a variety of ways, toughing out overtime wins over Central and Wisconsin-Eau Claire, dominating rival Cornell, Luther and Loras and beating Dubuque.

Defense remains the backbone of the team, holding opponents to 14 points per game and 265 total offensive yards. The Kohawks rush defense allows 39 yards per game and has surrendered just one TD on the ground.

Watch the matchup between Coe’s offense and the Prairie Wolves defense. The Kohawks lead the conference with 439.7 yards per game. NWU gives up a whopping 376.8. Points were hard to come by against a tough Central defense. The Kohawks offense could have a field day, which would help their cause for a win, setting up a battle for the conference lead against Wartburg next week at Clark Field.

Cornell hosts Midwest Conference power Monmouth

The Rams have made noticeable strides in Coach Dan Pifer’s four-season tenure. Cornell has been more competitive, working on a second straight winning season. The roster size has increased and the team has moved into the upper half of the Midwest Conference. The Rams just haven’t busted the glass ceiling that separates them from the conference’s top programs. They don’t own a win to get them over the hump against league powers.

Cornell (3-2, 3-1) will get a shot at one Saturday, hosting Monmouth (Ill.) at Ash Park’s Van Metre Family Field. The Fighting Scots are 4-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

Cornell has won two straight and three of its last four. The Rams’ lone setback was a 28-19 loss to Lake Forest, which is tied for first with Monmouth. Cornell has struggled against the top conference programs, losing nine straight to Monmouth, eight in a row to Lake Forest and seven consecutive games to Illinois College. Those three teams have won or shared the conference crown in 12 of the last 18 years. A victory over Monmouth would be a tremendous springboard in Pifer’s rebuild.

Cornell quarterback John Smith has passed for 892 yards and nine touchdowns in four Midwest Conference games. Smith connected with freshman wide receiver Chase Kennedy 13 times for 109 yards and two TDs versus Beloit College. Those were Kennedy’s first statistics of the season.

Darryl Overstreet Jr. drives Upper Iowa to success

The Peacocks have won three of their last four games, improving to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. They are second in the conference standings entering Saturday’s game against Lincoln (Mo.) (1-5, 0-4). The Peacocks have already earned the most wins in a season since going 6-5 in 2017.

A big part of the recent success is the play of QB Darryl Overstreet Jr. He amassed 256 offensive yards, including 199 passing, threw for two scores and rushed for a 2-yard TD in overtime for a 38-31 win over William Jewell last week. His effort garnered GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Overstreet has emerged as a leader and will look to continue his strong season this week. He has passed for 1,377 yards and 10 TDs, adding three rushing scores.

Western Dubuque duo entrenched in Wartburg record book

Former Western Dubuque preps Drake George and Ben Bryant have already printed their names in the Wartburg football record book. In the Knights’ 70-21 romp over Buena Vista, George set the school’s career receptions record, hauling in two passes to give him 191 career catches. He surpassed Riley Brockway’s total of 189 from 2014-17. George is also sixth all-time in receiving yards (2,270) and TD catches with 20.

Bryant owns the program record with 957 punt return yards and is second with 74 punt returns. Both will likely add to their record totals Saturday at home against Simpson.

Hunter Dekkers posts big numbers with Iowa Western

Former Iowa State QB and West Sioux all-stater Hunter Dekkers, who was banned by the NCAA for his role in a sports gambling investigation last summer, has had a successful return with NJCAA power Iowa Western.

Dekkers started 12 games for the Cyclones two seasons ago but missed last year. He is now the starting QB for the Reivers and he has thrived. Dekkers has passed for 1,909 yards and 14 TDs. He averages 318.2 yards per game, completing 137 of 207 passes. Dekkers has helped second-ranked Iowa Western to a 5-1 record.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com